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TNG meteo data helps in assessing risks of environmental conditions at ORM

Construction and operation of ground astrophysical facilities can be affected by adverse weather conditions. Some weather risks are obvious, but still there are times when an unforeseen event distorts the perception of how relevant a climate-related risk is. On the other hand, adverse weather conditions can delay or entirely halt the construction project of an astronomical facility. The impact of weather risks becomes stronger if the facility is built at a site far from urban areas, where maintenance activities and hardware availability become more challenging.

A new procedure to analyze the impact of environmental risks for an astronomical facility has been proposed illustrated with a case study: El Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory (ORM). ORM hosts a number of large scale instruments for astrophysics research, which will significantly increase during this decade. We analyze in this paper the environmental conditions affecting the useful lifetime of Cherenkov Telescopes installed at the ORM. After a detailed analysis of several weather stations, TNG included, the conclusion is that the risks of strongest magnitude are connected to wild fires. It diverges from the current risk perception, which is strongly influenced by the recent Cumbre Vieja Eruption event.

All details in the paper

Risk Assessment of Environmental Conditions Affecting the Useful Lifetime of Cherenkov Telescopes at El Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory
Marquez, P.; Martinez, O.; Gaug, M.; et al. IOP Publishing Ltd on behalf of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). Volume 134, Number 1039.

Link at the paper: https://doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873/ac811a